Once upon a time, there lived a flea in a king’s bed. She fed on his blood and was happy and content. One day, a bug entered the king’s bedroom. The flea said, “You cannot stay here. Leave immediately.” The bug said, “I’m just a guest. Once I have a taste of the king’s blood, I shall go away.” The flea replied, “I feed only when the king is sleeping. Remember not to hurt him with your teeth.” But the bug was an impatient sort. As soon as the king got ready to sleep, the bug bit him. The king called out to his attendants. He said, “Something bit me. It could be a bug or a flea.” The bug hid under the king’s mattress. The flea thought, “I shouldn’t have allowed the bug to stay here.” Meanwhile, the king’s servants found the flea between the linens and killed her.
The Flea and the Bug
